We’re one day out from the official release of Bone Swans by C.S.E. Cooney (though, truth be told, it’s already available at Amazon, Nook, iTunes, Kobo and a bunch of other places).
 
The book has already accumulated a number of accolades. However, in the short, small scale-history of Mythic Delirium Books, I’ve never seen anything like what happened July 1, when three enthusiastic reviews appeared on the same day in different venues:
 
• From Tor.com short fiction reviewer Brit Mandelo:
 

A fascinating mashup between the tropes and resonances of the mythic tale with the sensibilities of contemporary action-oriented fantasy: simultaneously lighthearted and serious, full of consequences but also ubiquitous happy endings. … “The Bone Swans of Amandale” was perhaps my personal favorite. It’s a riff on the Pied Piper story, told by a shapeshifting rat who’s in love with a shapeshifting Swan Princess. … this is an intriguing and readable collection—one that is, certainly, doing something rather specific and unique.

 
• From Locus short fiction reviewer Rich Horton:
 

All of the stories are very good, and one is new to the collection: “The Bone Swans of Amandale” … It’s one of a couple in the book that takes as its basis a familiar fairy tale, but which changes it utterly.
 
(Rich included “The Bone Swans of Amandale” on his list of recommended stories for July.)

 
• From Library Journal science fiction/fantasy reviewer Megan McArdle:
 

In five beautifully crafted stories, Cooney (Jack O’ the Hills) builds imaginary worlds full of flying carpets, fairy-tale characters, and children confronted with a postapocalyptic Earth. In addition, each tale packs in enough plot for a novel, with adventurous characters who brim with wit. … Short stories, especially in the speculative fiction arena, often feature a clever idea and a punchy delivery. It’s usually not where you find vivid worldbuilding or immersive storytelling, but this gorgeous new collection reveals that both are possible in the short form.

 
An especial heads-up for SFWA members: “The Bone Swans of Amandale” is now available in the members-only novella forum for folks to read.
 
#SFWApro